Sumner County Economic Development, Network Kansas, K-State Research and Extension, and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center welcomed producers, farmers, and ranchers to the KanOkla Upstairs Downtown conference center in Caldwell for a day of informational sessions focused on food entrepreneurship, food incubators, commercial kitchens, financing options, and more.
Part of K-State’s spring community visit series, the workshop explored what it takes to bring locally produced food to market. Sessions covered essential questions such as: What equipment is needed for a commercial kitchen? What’s required for nutrition labeling?
K-State offers a wide range of services for producers interested in selling directly to customers, including support from the Kansas Value Added Foods Lab, which helps entrepreneurs create safe, market-ready products.
Sumner County Economic Development Director Stacy Davis spoke at the event, highlighting the county’s ongoing economic growth, driven by strategic infrastructure investments.
“Communities like Belle Plaine and Caldwell have made major upgrades to their water systems—investments critical not just for quality of life today, but for attracting future businesses and ensuring sustainable growth tomorrow,” said Davis.
She also discussed the upcoming Evergy natural gas power plant, a major infrastructure project that will boost the local energy grid, support industrial development, and position Sumner County for long-term expansion.
In addition, broadband connectivity is rapidly improving. KanOkla Networks is expanding its fiber network in the southern part of the county, while Twin Valley is rolling out high-speed fiber in northern areas.
“These investments are closing the digital divide,” Davis noted. “They’re delivering gigabit-speed internet to homes, farms, schools, and businesses. In today’s economy, high-speed internet is essential—from remote work and online learning to precision agriculture and telehealth.”
Davis emphasized that these improvements are laying the foundation for long-term economic competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and tourism. She also highlighted a growing number of local businesses and festivals that celebrate the area’s rich history and bring visitors to Sumner County.
Dr. Jen Kern, executive director of the Border Queen Harvest Hub, spoke about how the Hub supports local farmers and food entrepreneurs by connecting them directly with consumers, expanding market access, and keeping dollars circulating within the local economy.
K-State’s food systems entrepreneurial resource navigators, Quinlan Carttar and Jenny Doty, presented different models for creating incubator kitchens—from adapting existing buildings, as is happening in Caldwell, to building new facilities.
Throughout the day, attendees were introduced to tools, resources, and partnerships aimed at helping farmers, food entrepreneurs, and small businesses grow.
As Davis summed it up: “The key is connecting rural resources with rural innovation—and strengthening our economy from the ground up.”
